A fatty acid called propionate can help boost heart health, study concludes

Cardiovascular health could greatly benefit from a fatty acid produced by good bacteria that live in the digestive tract. German researchers reported that propionate modulates the immune cells responsible for increasing blood pressure, thus reducing the bad effects of hypertension and the risk of other related diseases.

Gut bacteria are capable of breaking down dietary fiber into useful micronutrients. One of these beneficial products is propionate, a short-chain fatty acid that helps manage blood pressure.

ECRC researchers noted that propionate can regulate the T helper cells of the immune system. These immune cells enhance inflammation, thereby contributing to hypertension. But in the presence of propionate, these cells calm down. Propionate thus decreases inflammation and exerts its influence on the functional ability of the heart.

During the experiment, the researchers used targeted electrical stimulation on treated and untreated mice. They successfully induced irregular heartbeats in 70 percent of the untreated animals. However, only 20 percent of the treated mice developed arrhythmia, suggesting that propionate protected their hearts from the harmful stimuli.

Propionate also reduced the damage inflicted by high blood pressure on the cardiovascular system of the animals.

The beneficial effects of propionate appear to be tied to regulatory T cells. When the ECRC researchers deactivated these specific immune cells in mice, propionate lost its cardiovascular benefits.

A potential natural approach for alleviating cardiovascular problems

Nutrition experts have long advised patients with cardiovascular diseases to eat foods rich in dietary fiber. But the ECRC study on propionate showed why such a fiber-rich diet could stop the onset of cardiovascular disease.

For instance, fruits and whole grains contain large amounts of cellulose and inulin. Gut bacteria could break down these dietary fibers into useful metabolites, such as propionate and other short-chain fatty acids.

The ECRC researchers believe that their discovery could lead to new approaches for treating cardiovascular diseases. Propionate is safe for humans as it is produced inside the body from natural fibers.

“Previously, it had not been clear which fatty acid is behind the positive effects and how it works,” remarked ECRC researcher Nicola Wilck. “With these favorable conditions, hopefully propionate will soon make the leap from the lab to patients who need it.”

While the German researchers are thinking of giving propionate to patients as a drug, the best way to get it is still to eat fiber-rich foods and let the bacteria in the gut do the work.